@ Original Centralian: What is “going on” is that politicians …

@ Original Centralian: What is “going on” is that politicians are involved.
They have multiple objectives to satisfy. Prime would be political objectives.
If CM Gunner thinks we will take his site decision lying down I feel he’s in for a surprise.
I recall Gough Whitlam being equally arrogant and ignoring local concerns with his “You’re getting Galston” statement for the site of Western Sydney airport.

Recent Comments by Mark Wilson

Tourist perished: Has Coroner’s recommendation been followed?It seems that Monika Billen was used to walking alone off track. Clearly she was not familiar with the conditions here in high summer.
The bottom line is that people are in the first instance responsible for themselves.
People are free to ignore recommendation if they choose.
But, yes, some processes could be set in place to minimise the dangers both high summer and winter. Accommodation venues could ask guests if they plan to walk in the region. Backpacks are a sure telltale as guests leave their lodgings.
Then they could be issued a leaflet in one of several languages outlining safety precautions and the dangers. Far better is a personal discussion of the dangers. An emergency beacon could be rented for a very modest cost and added to the accommodation charge.
As a frequent trail walker overseas I appreciate how confusing navigating by the sun can be in the other hemisphere to the one you are familiar.
Add to that that the sun is so high in the sky at this latitude that around midday navigating by sun becomes very difficult.

Suddenly everyone is talking about 1TerritoryThe NT is way too small a jurisdiction and the resulting small number of elected MLAs in government to really be across the multiple portfolios that each minister carries.
As a result the ministry is largely controlled by senior “Yes Minister” bureaucrats beyond reach of the Parliament and the voters. When it all goes belly up it’s the minister who carries the responsibility.
But unlike previous times they rarely “fall on their sword”. It just carries on until (often sensationalist) media brings the issues to the fore and then it becomes damage control time. This is what we have seen in recent days.
Braedon Earley speaks a lot of sense. Can he bring fiscal responsibility back to the NT is the question?
Let’s hope someone can before they send in the administrators.
Are these the guys who want statehood? Really?

Former gallery advisor scathing about its planners“It is a bizarre idea doing a business plan before someone has even started resolving what the issues are,” says Mr Lynch. Exactly my argument in my last letter on the topic in another thread.
And yes, Domenico, I have previously lamented here the loss of the Emily Kngwarreye work overseas when the sale occurred.
We may end up with a building looking for those crowd-pulling paintings and unable to afford to buy them back. This is yet more “planning” by NTG.
(Still) watching in amazement …

Aboriginal gallery: rushed business case yet immediate start?Does the new gallery have to operate as a business, turn a profit or be subsidised forever (the business plan should tell us)?
What on earth is Ernst and Young doing writing the business case anyway?
Yes, I know their website says “(we are) committed to building a better working world” blah blah blah. With apologies to the Lions I bet Ernst and Young could make a business case to hold an ocean regatta in the Todd if pressed.
I recall the business model for the Desert Park was to have it open nightly till around 9 from memory. Not sure when that all disappeared into fairy dust.
We keep watching in total amazement.

Government to spend $67m on youth databaseGovernment is bereft of ideas. $90m on a gallery; $67m on a database. And WHAT do they intend to do with the data when they have it? Our police could identify the main problems without spending another cent.
Seriously, they have to be kidding. I thought they were broke? Keep spending and maxing the credit card till the credit rating is smashed and we all owe a squillion. But spending money always fixes the problem. We wish!